This talk is presented by the Qualitative Multi-Method Research Initiative (QUAL) Speaker Series with support from the Anne H.H. and Kenneth B. Pyle Assistant Professorship, Center for Korea Studies, Center of Global Studies, Comparative Religion Program, Isaac Alhadeff Professorship in Sephardic Studies, Jackson School Ph.D. Program, JSIS Japan Studies Program, Job and Gertrud Tamaki Professorship, Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies, School of Law, and South Asia Center.

Description

Interview Tips from the Middle East: Conducting Elite Interviews in Turkey and IsraelBerkay Gulen, Ph.D. Candidate in International Studies, conducted a series of interviews with foreign policy-makers in Turkey and Israel during the 2017-18 academic year. For her dissertation research, Gulen designed different types of semi-structured questionnaires and respondent lists to better understand foreign policy decision-making mechanisms in Turkey and Israel. After spending 12 months in the field and interviewing more than 80 policy-makers, she came across different political conditions and human interactions than she had anticipated. In this talk, Gulen will discuss practical lessons from her experience contacting respondents, recording interviews, organizing interview notes, being a native/non-native researcher, and encountering gender norms during her fieldwork.